Columbus holds off Belen at BankUnited Center

The Belen Wolverines and Columbus Explorers, two all-boys Catholic schools, moved their spirited rivalry from West Dade to Coral Gables, playing Friday night’s basketball game at the BankUnited Center, home of the Miami Hurricanes.

And even though the evenly split crowd of about 4,000 was larger and louder than many that have come to see the Canes over the years, Columbus’ 39-37 win over Belen was not an artistic success — at least not on offense.

“It was a really low-scoring game — the big arena had a huge effect,” said guard Andy Byrne, who was able to score a team-high nine points, all on three-pointers, for Columbus (12-8).

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Belen, which fell to 11-10, had a chance to win, trailing 38-37 with less than five seconds to play.

But a jumper by Alfredo Consuegra teased Belen fans before rolling off into the hands of a Columbus player.

“If that ball goes in, that would have been game over,” Byrne said. “One of the biggest things we preach is diving for every loose ball. We did a good job of getting that rebound.”

Belen coach Jose Roca said his team got the look it wanted with the ball in the hands of Consuegra, who had a game-high 13 points.

“The shot just did not fall,” Roca said.

This is the third consecutive year the teams have played each other at the BankUnited Center, with Columbus winning twice.

But both teams came out tight. The first half featured a combined total of just nine field goals.

The Wolverines didn’t get their first field goal until 1:47 remained in the first quarter. That basket, a layup by Christian Silva, cut Columbus’ lead to 6-3, and the Explorers held on to an 8-6 lead after the first quarter.

Belen went into halftime tied 14-14 thanks to a last-minute three-pointer by Consuegra.

Byrne’s three-pointer gave Columbus a 34-27 lead, capping an 11-2 fourth-quarter run, and the Explorers held on in the final four minutes.

“This was fantastic,” Roca said of the environment. “This is what the kids will remember 15 years from now — the crowd, their friends … it’s all positive.”

Coaching changes

▪ Palmer Trinity coach James Valle has helped the Falcons become a playoff regular in girls’ basketball for nearly a decade.

Valle has decided to head north at the end of this season.

Valle, who is completing his ninth season at Palmer Trinity, will become the athletic director at Andrews Osborne Academy in Willoughby, Ohio, this summer.

“The opportunity to develop an athletic program at an elite independent school in my vision has always been a career goal of mine,” said Valle, who has compiled a 165-57 career record. “Without the sacrifice and passion of all the players I have had at Palmer Trinity, this opportunity never would have opened for me. I’ll take a little piece of each and every player I’ve coached with me as I enter this new chapter in my life.”

Under Valle, the Falcons won their only four district titles in school history and lead their district this season. Palmer Trinity has made the regional playoffs each of the past seven seasons.

▪ Oakland Park Northeast football coach Christopher Hay told the Miami Herald he has been dismissed from his coaching duties at the school.

Hay, a South Broward graduate, coached the Hurricanes to a 1-9 record this past season after a previous stint at Hollywood Hills as an assistant coach.

Northeast is still in the process of hiring a replacement.

“I love my kids and I just want to thank them for the hard work they put in and same goes for all the coaches out there doing things the right way,” Hay said. “Unfortunately, the school decided they wanted to go in another direction. Whoever takes over will inherit a solid, disciplined program on and off the field.”